Robust Piezoelectric Coefficient Recovery by Nano-Inclusions Dispersion in Un-Poled PVDF–Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ Ultra-Thin Films

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors studied the effect of the hybird interface in PVDF based composite film on the local electromechanical response. The manuscript clearly demonstrates that the dispersion of the metallic ferromagnetic nano-inclusions inside the PVDF film allows a partially recover of the local piezoelectric properties. Due to the interest for the topic and the relevant amount of new results presented in the manuscript, I reccomend it for pubblication.
Here are my comments about the manuscript:

• The authors should check through the entire manuscript the scale bar and colar bar of all PFM images (e.g. Figure 5c,d). The magnititude of the applied field should also needs to be marked in the figures.
• The authors did not comment about the mechanism of the piezoelectric response recovery in their films. They should include some comments about how the metallic ferromagnetic nano-inclusions inside the PVDF film affect the electromechanical properties.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The present work by Gomez and Mercone et al. described the partial recovery of the nanoscale piezoelectric properties by uniform dispersing the nanoparticles inside the PVDF polymer matrix. The manuscript is well organized with reliable results and detailed discussion. It could be acceptable after the authors address the following comments.

1. Some important characterizations of the Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles should be provided, such as the morphology and XRD pattern.

2. The possible reason for the thin PVDF polymer with un-poled nanoparticles exhibiting the same piezoelectric coefficient should be discussed in the manuscript.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

This revised manuscript has been revised well. Therefore, I would like to recommend that this manuscript can be accepted.